title: Mitophagy and mitochondrial morphology in human melanoma-derived cells post exposure to simulated sunlight.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess changes in mitochondrial morphology and mitophagy induced by simulated sunlight irradiation (SSI) and how these changes are modulated by mitochondrial activity and energy source.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human malignant amelanotic melanoma A375 cells were pre-treated with either a mitochondrial activity enhancer, uncoupler or were either melanin or glutamine supplemented/starved for 4 hours pre-exposure to sunlight. A Q-Sun Solar Simulator (Q-Lab, Homestead, FL, USA) was employed to expose cells to simulated sunlight. Confocal microscopy imaging of A375 cells co-loaded with mitochondria and lysosome-specific fluorescent dyes was used to identify these organelles and predict mitophagic events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SSI induces pronounced changes in mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in exposed skin cells compared to control and these effects were modified by both glutamine and melanin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mitochondrial dynamics and rate of mitophagy in melanoma cells are sensitive to even short bursts of environmentally relevant SSI. Mitochondrial dynamics, and its modulation, may also play a role in mitophagy regulation, cell survival and proliferation post SSI.
authors.affiliation: Mitochondrial Biology & Radiation Research, School of Science, Institute of Technology Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, Ireland. lucienemz@gmail.com
authors.forename: Luciene M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Zanchetta
authors.forename: Amaya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lyng
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: James E J
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D001343:Autophagy; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005973:Glutamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013472:Sunlight; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D005973:Glutamine